GOP Sen. Moran breaks with McConnell on Supreme Court

Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) broke with Republican leadership this week by calling for the Senate to take up Merrick Garland’s nomination to the Supreme Court, a Kansas newspaper reported.

“I would rather have you (constituents) complaining to me that I voted wrong on nominating somebody than saying I’m not doing my job,” Moran said at a meeting with constituents, according to the Garden City Telegram.

Story Continued Below

“I can’t imagine the president has or will nominate somebody that meets my criteria, but I have my job to do,” Moran also said. “I think the process ought to go forward.”

The comments, which were made and reported on Monday but not widely noticed until Thursday, represent a significant departure within the Senate GOP ranks on the issue. A handful of moderate senators have publicly disagreed with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s stance that the Senate won’t hold hearings or vote on a high court nomination until the next president takes office. But, by and large, the conference has stood its ground.

Moran headed the GOP’s Senate campaign arm during the 2014 election cycle. A lawyer by training, the 61-year-old former congressman is favored to win a second Senate term this year.